The Free Will

The Baltic coast provides the initial bleak backdrop where Theo's crime occurs. Mülheim an der Ruhr becomes the post-release home, a gray, industrial urban setting that frames the probation period. Nettie travels to Belgium for her internship, and Berlin later serves as the distant administrative hub connected to Theo's rehabilitation. These locations mirror the characters' emotional dislocation and escalating tension.

💥 Violence & Control

The film centers on a cycle of violence driven by unrestrained desire and the difficulty of controlling impulses. Theo's urge to harm others collides with his longing for connection, exposing how trauma and misogyny fuel destructive behavior. The narrative follows the consequences for victims, bystanders, and the perpetrator, showing how violence pervades ordinary life. The tone is bleak, unflinching, and asks whether rehabilitation can truly alter such deep-seated patterns.

🧠 Guilt & Redemption

Guilt threads through Theo's actions and Nettie's attempts to make sense of the events after years of trauma. The characters seek redemption in imperfect ways, often ending in tragedy rather than absolution. The film explores whether forgiveness is possible when past crimes resist reconciliation. It also examines the psychological toll of bearing witness to violence.

💔 Toxic Relationships

Theo and Nettie's relationship evolves from fragile affection into a dangerous, codependent dynamic. Their bond becomes a channel for fear, dependence, and manipulation rather than care. Power imbalances and fear shape their actions, leaving emotional scars. The drama reveals how vulnerability can be weaponized in intimate ties.

🏥 Mental Health & Institutions

Theo's treatment and probation highlight tensions between care and control in the psychiatric and legal systems. The film juxtaposes clinical restraint with the protagonist's inability to change, underscoring the limits of rehabilitation. It critiques whether court-ordered treatment can address deep-seated compulsions beyond surface-level management.